Ever wonder how much that cross country RV trip would have cost if you had flown or just driven the car? Well here's a study I found on the "55th annual California RV Show" website (http://www.carvshow.com/).
I beg to differ on some of their figures, but also would have included the savings of not having to pay for in room movies at a hotel!
Enjoy!
RV VACATIONS ARE LEAST EXPENSIVE, STUDY FINDS
Even when fuel prices rise, RV trips remain the least expensive type of vacation, according to a new study comparing vacation costs.
PKF Consulting, an internationally recognized consulting firm with expertise in travel and tourism, found that “typical RV family vacations are on average 26 to 74 percent less expensive than other types of vacations studied.”
Even factoring in RV ownership and fuel costs, the study reveals that RV vacations are more economical than those taken by personal car, commercial airline or cruise ship.
“Regardless of gas prices, RV owners still get a bigger bang for their buck when compared to other types of vacations,” says Richard Coon, president, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). “Affordability is a key reason why RV travel appeals so much to families.”
PKF analyzed major costs that would be incurred by families taking nine different types of vacations to such popular travel destinations as the Grand Canyon; Orlando, Fla.; Cape Cod; Napa, Calif.; and Alaska. PKF selected three types of RVs typically used by families for vacation purposes — a folding camping trailer, conventional travel trailer and Type C motorhome.
“In all cases, RV trips were more economical than other vacations analyzed, regardless of trip duration, distance or region of the country,” says Kannan Sankaran, PKF's lead researcher for the study.
“Even when fuel prices rise, our data show that each RV vacation would still be significantly less expensive,” Sankaran explained. “While fuel costs are a component of the overall vacation cost, fluctuations in fuel prices aren't significant enough to affect a family's decision of whether or not to take RV trips over other types of vacations.” According to the study, fuel prices would need to triple to make RVing more expensive for a family of four than other forms of travel.
Vacations using a personal car, staying in hotels and eating in restaurantsñthe least expensive of the non-RV travel optionsñwere found to be 36 percent more costly on average than going by RV.
The study showed, for example, that a family of four traveling from Washington, D.C. to Dennis Port, Mass. for 10 days with their folding camping trailer in tow, staying in campgrounds for the local average of $25 per night, would save 54 percent, or $1,696, over the same trip taken by car, staying in hotels averaging $120 per night and eating in restaurants. Taking the same vacation by motorhome would save $974, or 34 percent, over going by car.
On a trip from Atlanta to Orlando for a week, a family of four would save $1,658, or 53 percent, by traveling in their motorhome and staying in campgrounds averaging $27 per night, rather than flying, renting a car, staying in hotels averaging $125 per night and eating in restaurants.
A week-long family vacation towing a conventional travel trailer from Salt Lake City, Utah to the Grand Canyon compared to the cost of taking the same trip by airline, renting a car and staying in a rental property would be $2,820 or 70 percent less expensive.
Shorter getaways were also found to be more economical by RV. For example, a family taking a three-day vacation from Pittsburgh, Pa. to Lancaster, Pa. would save $271 — or 31 percentñby towing a conventional travel trailer, rather than going by car, staying in hotels and eating in restaurants. The savings would be even greater — $1,049 or 62.2 percent — for families taking the same trip by motorhome rather than flying.
According to PKF, renting an RV is the most affordable way to tour Alaska. The study shows that 14-day RV rentals were less than half the cost of Alaskan all-inclusive cruises, including roundtrip air fare, and 69 percent less expensive than trips involving air fares, car rentals, hotels and restaurants.
In addition to major expenditures required from the start to finish of each vacation, PKF factored in an estimated cost of ownership of the RVs analyzed. Research included documenting average ownership periods, residual values, annual days of use, insurance and applicable IRS interest deductions for second-home mortgages.
“RV travel offers great value and affordability,” says Coon, “but there are other key reasons to travel by RV, too. RVs are a comfortable, convenient, stress-free way to travel, enjoy the great outdoors and spend quality time with family.”
The PKF study considered only quantifiable economic factors, not the comparative quality of each vacation. As a result, the convenience, flexibility and quality family time cited as major benefits of traveling in an RV could not be addressed.
To learn more about RV travel, consumers can order a free “getting-started” DVD or CD-ROM at GoRVing.com or 1-888-Go RVing. They can also surf the website for lists of Go RVing dealers and campgrounds in their area, as well as RV shows, publications, rental sources and clubs. Or write to: RVIA, P.O. Box 2999, Dept. P, Reston, VA 20195.
RVIA (rvia.org) is the national association representing more than 550 manufacturers and component suppliers producing approximately 98 percent of all RVs made in the United States.
RV Vacations Save Money
How going by RV reduces family vacation costs vs. other vacation types, according to a comprehensive study comparing travel expenses to popular U.S. destinations:
Vacation Type Itinerary Amount Saved
By RV
Folding Camping Trailer vs. Car/Hotel Denver to Grand Canyon 54 Percent
Type C Motorhome vs. Airline/Rental Car/Hotel Atlanta to Orlando 53 Percent
Travel Trailer vs. Airline/Rental Car/Rental Home Washington, D.C. to Cape Cod 43 Percent
Vacation Type Trip Duration
Transport Mode/Accommodations 3 Days 7 Days 10 Days 14 Days
Car towing a Folding Camping Trailer/Campgrounds $508 $1,125 $1,605 $2,317
Light-Duty Truck or SUV towing a Travel Trailer/Campground $623 $1,376 $1,963 $2,837
Motorhome/Campgrounds $647 $1,491 $2,127 $2,996
Personal Car/Hotels or Motels $903 $2,182 $3,125 $4,222
Personal Car or Airplane/Rental Property $1,514 $2,725 $3,570 $4,281
Airplane or Rental Car/Hotels or Motels $1,678 $3,044 $4,406 $5,742
Cruise Ship Vacation NA $9,399 $7,425 $9,053
All-Inclusive Package Vacation NA $5,156 $7,125 $9,285
Source: Leading tourism research firm PKF Consulting. When vacationing by RV, a family of four can spend up to 74 percent less compared to other vacation types. RV vacations were found to offer big savings over travel by car or plane with hotel accommodations or rental properties. Even the most expensive RV trip is one-third the cost of a cruise excursion and one-fifth the cost of an all-inclusive package getaway.
******************************************************* 2003 Ford F250, Super Crew, 4X4, 6.0 Liter Power Stroke Diesel with a Reese hitch. 2008 Carraige Domani DF300 fifth wheel
When fuel prices rise, the cost of driving that RV across the country increases
The cost of driving your car increases
The cost of a plane, train, or bus ticket.... Increases
So on the balance sheet.. RV still wins
As for you... Well.. you loose, but it's always been that way and always will be till someone figures out what the oil companies are doing and slaps them legal. Personally, much as I'd like to see it happen.. I don't think it will.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
They forgot to factor in the hidden costs of RVing, such as insurance, depreciation ($1k-$3k a month on a large motorhome), setting up a tow car, loss on investment capital, etc., etc., etc.
-Tom
"The people that don't believe in evolution are the ones who need it most!"
Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Indiana, PA
2005 Itasca Suncruiser 38R 38' 11"
W24, Allison 2100MH, full body paint
2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L, Roadmaster Sterling bar
FMCA 335149
Don't forget that if one of your main reasons to go RV'ing is to "get out of the house" and temporarily into a [relaxing] new environment, then gas prices are irrevelant if you can find some great spots a few miles away!
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They did a comparison recently in our paper and rving was the cheapest, about 1/3 the cost of flying and staying in a hotel and they hadn't even added in the cost of food.
I still find it hard to believe there figures. If you say have a payment of $300 a month x 12 mos.+ $400 a yr for insurance thats $4000. Now include a T/V, fuel,eats,camping supplies,C/G fee's,and property taxes. If you use it say 2-4 weeks total per year that comes to quite a few $$. We don't do it for the $$. But I guess if you bought a used TT and used your everyday vechicle to pull it and you didn't have alot vested in it,then maybe in a few years you might come out being cheaper.
2006 Dodge Quad-Cab 2500 CTD,4;10 gears,pulling a Forestriver Flaggstaff 831qbss
Where do you find campgrounds in New England for $25/night? Maybe in the state parks, but in my experience, that number is WAY too low for anything in the Northeast, New York or mid-Atlantic regions.
IF you're buying a decent sized rig, I would doubt that you can save much, if anything, over other ways of travel. I opted for the RV lifestyle for our family because it enabled us to travel. If we had to drive/fly/do hotels, we wouldn't leave the house. Wifey just doesn't do well in hotels.
And after more than 3 years and 11,000 miles under our belts in the class A, I'm none too keen on the "traditional" ways of travel either.
~Rick
2005 Georgie Boy 3625 DS on a Workhorse W-22 (Class A)
Rick, Gail, 1 girl (12-Angel), 1 girl (7), 2 boys (8 & 5), 1 plump Golden Retriever.
2001 Honda Odyssey with Demco Aluminator tow bar & tow plate, SMI Silent Partner brake controller.
I do not place any validity in "studies" which are paid for or sponsored by any person or organization having a vested interest in the results of same.
Doing otherwise is akin to believing the clothing salesperson who, upon seeing you try on some new clothes, exclaims "My, you really look good in those".
Traveling our country and seeing the sights, enjoying fun-filled days and campfire nights See our travel pics
The rig: 2006 SportsCoach Cross Country SE
The toad: 2006 Saturn Vue
The Captain: Skip
The Co-Captain: Norine
Furry passengers: Penny & Biscuit
I, long ago, stopped trying to justify the cost of owning an RV. With the amount I have invested, I'm sure I could fly everywhere we go, stay in really nice hotels and rent a really nice car, cheaper than I can own, operate and maintain an RV.
The reason I own an RV is because I love it. I meet wonderful people and I am always at home, but at a different address. If my room is a mess, it's my (our) mess. I have all my toys with me.
We work hard for our money and chose to spend it on an RV, because that's what we want to spend it on. Many people think it's a big waste of money and I think some of their hobbies are a waste of money.
If you factor in all the costs, you will never be able to justify owning an RV. Staying home and leading a very boring life is definitely the cheapest way.
A couple months ago, we were at Association Island (in northern NY) watching the sunset. I don't know what that is worth, but it made it all worth it to me!
05 Ford F-350 Lariat CC 4X4 PSD DRW Line X Retrax
02 Montana Big Sky 3295 RK (2) Honda EU2000is
When my grown kids were inspecting our new fifth wheel, one asked why we bought a trailer that sleeps 4. My reply was that we couldn't find one that sleeps 2!
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